It varies a great deal depending on how much cable you’re willing to show and what booster you buy, but a drill, ladder, wrench, decent tape, and mounting tools will be helpful no matter the situation.
How do I know which types of antennas to purchase when I choose a signal booster?
Generally, we recommend yagi antennas for rural and suburban areas, and omnidirectional for urban. Dome antennas are most useful if you’re trying to cover a wide open area, and panels are better for thinner rooms and hallways.
How can I see where the closest cell tower is?
We recommend the OpenSignal app or Network Cell Info Lite to get a bead on where your nearest cell tower is. You can also use CellMapper.net to find where your nearest tower is on a satellite map.
What app can I use to measure my signal strength?
OpenSignal if you have an iPhone or Network Cell Info Lite on Android. Network Cell Info Lite is our preferred option, but is unavailable on iPhones.
What does db gain mean, how is it measured?
It’s a logarithmic metric by which radio wave strength is measured. +3 dB of gain equals roughly double the power. So an increase of +8 dB of gain is roughly four and a half times as powerful a signal.
Does it matter if my signal booster is FCC compliant? Why?
Some boosters are capable of bringing down the entire cellular network. These are illegal. FCC compliant boosters can be safely registered and used without risking the integrity of the network for everyone else.
Will my signal booster kit come with everything I need to install?
Yes, all signal boosters are packaged as complete kits. There are optional accessories, such as a pole mount, that can also aid in installation, and tools may be required.
What booster is best if everyone in my family is on the same band/network?
We recommend a single-carrier booster such as the Cel-Fi GO-X for those situations. It will provide you with the most powerful boost.
What if our family is multi-carrier?
It varies on how much area you’re trying to cover, but when in doubt, get a higher coverage area.
